Madden 12 News Post

EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

07:10 PM - February 14, 2011 by RaychelSnr

The Sports Business Journal is reporting that the NFL and EA have come to terms on extending the current exclusive deal one more year with the uncertainty surrounding the 2011 NFL Season.

Quote:


	"The NFL has restructured its lucrative licensing and sponsorship contract with Electronic Arts to account for the sport�s uncertain future, significantly reducing the video game maker�s contractual obligations next season but adding a year to the deal, according to several well-placed sources. The contract now runs through 2013. The league is believed to have so far rebuffed pleas for fee reductions from other licensees and sponsors, many of which, like EA, find it difficult planning for the next season under the threat of a work stoppage. The league�s collective-bargaining agreement with the players expires March 4, and the two sides are far apart on reaching a deal. EA, however, is a special case, with its iconic �Madden� video game title. The licensing deal it agreed to with the league in early 2008 is believed to be worth well into nine figures in guarantees and royalties over its original five-year term. That stands as one of the most, if not the most lucrative non-TV contract the NFL enjoys. The NFL Players Association, which signed a companion EA deal for rights to the players, reaps regularly between $30 million and $40 million annually, according to the union�s annual filings with the Labor Department. The league deal allows EA to use team colors, names and logos."

This basically means that EA has exclusive rights to Madden now until after Madden NFL 14 -- or roughly right about the time the next generation of consoles are set to hit.

This just shows how strong of business partners the NFL and EA Sports are at this point. The NFL is giving EA a break on payments this year and has basically given them an additional year as a make-up of sorts to make right. Also, if you read my 2011 Predictions Post back in January, you saw this was my first prediction, that the deal would be extended in some way this year.

So in that respect, this news is not unexpected -- and with the deal stretching into the next console generation, I have serious doubts any other company is going to be in a position enter the market anytime soon due to the extreme cost of entry into quality sports game development that will be present at that time.

Thanks to Pasta Padre for the news tip.

Game: Madden NFL 12Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 44 - View All

Madden NFL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 261 coogrfan @ 02/16/11 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieV


	I understand that's the perception. Why do you think EA has refused to comment or answer any questions about the extension? And, if the deal is working out so great for both sides, why didn't they re-up it for 3 or 4 years like last time? It's just my guess, but I think the uncertainties of all the pending litigation had at least something to do with it. Again, we should have some more answers on that stuff in another year.

Umm... the CBA situation might have something to do with it as well, don't cha think?

# 262 bkrich83 @ 02/16/11 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieV


	Maybe you're right, maybe I'm right -- guess we'll never know.

Given the way ea and the NFL operate. It seems pretty obvious.

You think a class action suit against ea will force the NFL to open up their license? Not likely and the NFL has even deeper pockets for litigation than ea does and no one protects their intellectual property like the NFL.

This litigation has no affect on the NFL or how they do business. And why do people think telling an entity like the NFL who they can and can't sell their licenses to is a good thing ?

# 263 bkrich83 @ 02/16/11 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieV


	Didn't you think it was a good thing when the courts came down against Microsoft? Would you like living in a world where every pc came with Windows? Maybe you would, but I never liked companies getting away with things our monopoly laws were designed to prevent.

The NFL isn't forcing every football game to be an NFL game. They are selling their intellectual rights to a specific company for a premium exclusively. The MS deal doesn't compare.

Government telling businesses who they can and can't sell to isn't something I want to encourage.

Selling your property exclusive is not a monopoly nor is it an unfair business practice.

# 264 mestevo @ 02/16/11 12:07 PM

Quote:


	�For one of our core partners in a difficult environment, we say let�s look at this, and maybe it makes some sense to extend something out longer and give our partner some relief in the short term but gain something on the back end,� said Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, chairman of the NFL�s business ventures committee.

Pretty clearly relates to the CBA.

# 265 SageInfinite @ 02/16/11 12:22 PM

As much as I don't like what EA and the NFL have done, I'm more mad at the fact that Tiburon can't make a football game that can rival The Show and NBA2k. It's just disappointing year after year to see that they just don't provide the type of football experience I'm looking for.

I would LOVE to have a choice, but if Tiburon would make football games that made me not care if there was a choice or not it would be great. They still haven't made a football game that compares to what we got last gen as far as providing a total experience. It's just sad for me to think that they just don't have it in them. I skipped Madden 11 for the first time ever, and I'll probably be doing it again this year.

And while NCAA 11 is the best it's been this gen, as far as a total football experience during gameplay, it's still lacking.

# 266 bkrich83 @ 02/16/11 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageInfinite


	As much as I don't like what EA and the NFL have done, I'm more mad at the fact that Tiburon can't make a football game that can rival The Show and NBA2k. It's just disappointing year after year to see that they just don't provide the type of football experience I'm looking for. I would LOVE to have a choice, but if Tiburon would make football games that made me not care if there was a choice or not it would be great. They still haven't made a football game that compares to what we got last gen as far as providing a total experience. It's just sad for me to think that they just don't have it in them. I skipped Madden 11 for the first time ever, and I'll probably be doing it again this year. And while NCAA 11 is the best it's been this gen, as far as a total football experience during gameplay, it's still lacking.

I can not disagree with a single thing you said here. Well put.

# 267 RGiles36 @ 02/16/11 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquorLogic


	The licensing cost would drop because EA, the only company capable of paying that hefty fee, is no longer in the picture. The NFL isn't going to turn down money. If no company wants to pay for an exclusive license, but companies were willing to pay for a non-exclusive license, than the NFL will award multiple licenses like they did before. *The NFL will simply lower the costs, and make it non-exclusive to make up some of the difference, which is what we all want.*

I mean absolutely no disrespect when I say this, but you sound a bit delirious. Is there a point in which we let go? It's been what -- 6 years?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquorLogic


	Why do people keep saying this ? The NFL wants as much money as possible, *and the deal with EA guarantees this regardless of Madden's sales. If the NFL could make more money with multiple licenses, they would award multiple licenses.*

Exactly LOL. Why are we discussing the possibility of the license being non-exclusive again?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageInfinite


	I would LOVE to have a choice, *but if Tiburon would make football games that made me not care if there was a choice or not it would be great.* They still haven't made a football game that compares to what we got last gen as far as providing a total experience. It's just sad for me to think that they just don't have it in them. I skipped Madden 11 for the first time ever, and I'll probably be doing it again this year.

This. Granted, I do enjoy M11, but as far as value, this game lacks. The presentation is bare bones (I'm so sick of saying this year in - year out), franchise has been ignored, etc. When you compare the kitchen sink approach that NBA2K took as far as value...

On a related note, that's why I was happy to hear Cummings say on one of the podcasts that adding value to Madden is important for M12.

# 268 slickdtc @ 02/16/11 12:56 PM

Like others have stated, I cared a lot more 6 years ago. Now that we have NFL 2k5, APF 2k8, and I play Madden 10 (skipped M11), I'm quite content with my football gaming library.

I'd love for the license to be dealt out to multiple developers again, but it ain't happening, at least not for a long time, if ever. I'd love to see the day when I see the thread title "Exclusive NFL deal no more", but I'm not holding my breath every day. I've been apathetic towards NFL video games for a few years now. I guess the exclusive deal really did kill my love for the yearly Madden v. NFL 2k battle, but whatever, I'm older now and I've just got a lot better things to do.

# 269 SageInfinite @ 02/16/11 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgiles36


	Granted, I do enjoy M11, but as far as value, this game lacks. The presentation is bare bones (I'm so sick of saying this year in - year out), franchise has been ignored, etc. When you compare the kitchen sink approach that NBA2K took as far as value... On a related note, that's why I was happy to hear Cummings say on one of the podcasts that adding value to Madden is important for M12.

I just don't think Tiburon has an idea of what good presentation is. I mean has it ever been really exceptional in Madden? It got the job done last gen, but when 2k5 came out, it just made it look so inferior. They've yet to top it with more powerful hardware this gen.

With some of the convos I've had with people, I just don't think they get it or care to get it. I would LOVE for them to prove me wrong, but I just don't think they can provide a football experience that makes me do a double take like The Show and NBA 2k do. I don't even want to go the NFL 2k5 route, there shouldn't even be a comparison. They need to try to compete with The Show and NBA 2k.

# 270 SageInfinite @ 02/16/11 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	I can not disagree with a single thing you said here. Well put.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieV


	I agree with all of this, also. Good post.

Thanks guys. I'm just tired of people(myself included) blaming EA and the NFL for doing business. I mean of course is SUCKS, but they are trying to make money and maximize profits, and this is the best way they see to do it. The blame rests on Tiburon for not providing a solid experience that can compete with the top sports games today.

I don't care if you have to come up with a gimmick to sell the game each year, that's no excuse for not providing an immersive experience on the field.

# 271 RGiles36 @ 02/16/11 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageInfinite


	I just don't think Tiburon has an idea of what good presentation is. I mean has it ever been really exceptional in Madden? It got the job done last gen, but when 2k5 came out, it just made it look so inferior. They've yet to top it with more powerful hardware this gen.

Sig-worthy.

Until they prove otherwise, I have to agree with you. It's been said that they've had to get a foundation in place the last two years, but I don't know that I 100% buy that. I've read in forums and dev diaries in the past that presentation isn't all that hard to implement. It's more about attention to detail.

I've been saying this since post M08 and it still applies for the most part: too often, I still have to press pause (and view the stats) to get an idea of how my QB is playing. Whereas on TV, the information is presented damn near on every offensive drive. Or, think about the pre-game warm-ups with the QB banner when all we're given is Yards & TDs. That gives me ABSOLUTELY no idea of how effective my QB has been relative to how many games he's played that season. What about the QB rating? Completion percentage? Ints? That's the stuff that intimates that they don't get it.

But alas, it's another year. We'll see.

Sorry to get off topic!

# 272 RedZoneD25 @ 02/16/11 01:23 PM

So many good posts on this page. Well done fellas.

# 273 SageInfinite @ 02/16/11 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgiles36


	Sig-worthy. Until they prove otherwise, I have to agree with you. It's been said that they've had to get a foundation in place the last two years, but I don't know that I 100% buy that. I've read in forums and dev diaries in the past that presentation isn't all that hard to implement. It's more about attention to detail. I've been saying this since post M08 and it still applies for the most part: too often, I still have to press pause (and view the stats) to get an idea of how my QB is playing. Whereas on TV, the information is presented damn near on every offensive drive. Or, think about the pre-game warm-ups with the QB banner when all we're given is Yards & TDs. That gives me ABSOLUTELY no idea of how effective my QB has been relative to how many games he's played that season. What about the QB rating? Completion percentage? Ints? That's the stuff that intimates that they don't get it. But alas, it's another year. We'll see. Sorry to get off topic!

Totally agree. As you said, I dont want to keep going off topic, but the direction as far as presentation is concerned is off. I hate saying a dev team isn't capable, but they haven't proved they are yet.

# 274 pietasterp @ 02/16/11 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageInfinite


	The blame rests on Tiburon for not providing a solid experience that can compete with the top sports games today.

While I agree that Tiburon does not appear to have it in them to deliver the game we want, I'm not sure you can divorce the developer from the publisher/business partners. It's all related, unless Tiburon is being left completely alone to do what they want with the game with no interference from corporate or the NFL (in terms of content, deadlines, budget, etc.).....which I seriously doubt is the case. In fact, I would guess that it's probably the exact opposite - there probably isn't a more meddled-with game on the planet than Madden in terms of input from marketing, corporate, the NFL, etc...

Maybe that doesn't excuse Tiburon, but I think it puts things in perspective. It's not like EA is giving Tiburon a blank check and an empty calendar and saying "Go develop the best game you possibly can, and let us know when you've finished!"

# 275 SageInfinite @ 02/16/11 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietasterp


	While I agree that Tiburon does not appear to have it in them to deliver the game we want, I'm not sure you can divorce the developer from the publisher/business partners. It's all related, unless Tiburon is being left completely alone to do what they want with the game with no interference from corporate or the NFL (in terms of content, deadlines, budget, etc.).....which I seriously doubt is the case. In fact, I would guess that it's probably the exact opposite - there probably isn't a more meddled-with game on the planet than Madden in terms of input from marketing, corporate, the NFL, etc... Maybe that doesn't excuse Tiburon, but I think it puts things in perspective. It's not like EA is giving Tiburon a blank check and an empty calendar and saying "Go develop the best game you possibly can, and let us know when you've finished!"

I agree, I can't place the entire blame on Tiburon, but my problems with the game this generation(presentation, animations, glitches) seem more like issues on their end rather than EA as a company. I'm sure they have alot of pressure on their shoulders every year to deliver, but that's where the license comes into play. With that sewn up, no matter what type of garbage they put out(not saying Madden is garbage), it's still guaranteed a nice amount of sales, more than the average game at least. Plus it's history helps push this as well.

I'm not dogging Tiburon, but history has proven they can't provide a football game that blurs the lines between reality and video games, and at this point, that is exactly what this game SHOULD be doing.

# 276 Jasong7777 @ 02/16/11 02:14 PM

If Madden is good next year i'm buying it, just like 90% of the people in this thread.

# 277 pietasterp @ 02/16/11 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageInfinite


	I agree, I can't place the entire blame on Tiburon, but my problems with the game this generation(presentation, animations, glitches) seem more like issues on their end rather than EA as a company. I'm sure they have alot of pressure on their shoulders every year to deliver, but that's where the license comes into play. With that sewn up, no matter what type of garbage they put out(not saying Madden is garbage), it's still guaranteed a nice amount of sales, more than the average game at least. Plus it's history helps push this as well. I'm not dogging Tiburon, but history has proven they can't provide a football game that blurs the lines between reality and video games, and at this point, that is exactly what this game SHOULD be doing.

I could not agree with you more, Sage...(you've been getting that a lot lately, huh?

). I am in no way, shape, or form defending Tiburon - they are simply not a top-tier, AAA house, it's just that simple. Visual Concepts and SCE San Diego eat Tiburon's lunch annually, and the difference in attention to detail is astronomical.

I guess the only point I was trying to make was that some (not all, but some) of the problems with animations, glitches, and presentation might be due not to their unwillingness (or inability) to deliver on those fronts but rather interference/meddling from EA's end, in the sense that maybe EA tasks them with adding "x" number of new "back-of-the-box" features every year, and either does not stress (or explicitly instructs them not to spend time on) the things that we know are important in a great sports game. Things like TV-style presentation, immersion, stat overlays, Offensive/Defensive Line interaction, blocking logic, tackling logic, physics...the list goes on. It's possible Tiburon knows they could be doing better, but maybe they are getting pressure from above to focus time and resources on other, "flashier" things to move units. I don't have any evidence that this is the case, but given what we know about Madden's development and occasional candid comments from developers past, I think it would not suprise anyone if this turned out to be true. Not to mention, probably 90-cents out of every dollar of the Madden budget is spent on marketing, so you know where EA's priorities are...

Having said all that, Tiburon just doesn't deliver, and that's the bottom line. If Visual Concepts were EA's sole football development house in an exclusive-licensed world, would we have a better game of football for 360/PS3 right now? I would be willing to bet on it.

# 278 roadman @ 02/16/11 02:41 PM

The NFL could care less about the most recognizable brand name; the NFL is one of the most recognizable brand names in existence. 505 games, if they somehow got the exclusive license, would be the most recognizable brand name if they were the only publisher making an NFL football game; the NFL only cares about their bottom line.[/quote]

How can you make such statements?

Madden is one of the most recognizable brand names in existence. And the NFL recognizes that.

If you don't believe that, no reason to go further.

We agree the NFL only cares about their bottom line.

Sage, good posting, spot on.

# 279 videlsports @ 02/16/11 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquorLogic


	Since when did the NCAA renew their contract with EA ?

I sent an E-mail out to the CLC (Collegite Liscensing Control) @ clc.com.. I recieved an e-mail back from Vice President Dave Kirkpatrick saying that they renewed with EA until 2014 as well. (SMH). I twittered OS with the info, they found out so far they belive it's legit but is looking into it Further.

# 280 SageInfinite @ 02/16/11 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietasterp


	I could not agree with you more, Sage...(you've been getting that a lot lately, huh? ). I am in no way, shape, or form defending Tiburon - they are simply not a top-tier, AAA house, it's just that simple. Visual Concepts and SCE San Diego eat Tiburon's lunch annually, and the difference in attention to detail is astronomical. I guess the only point I was trying to make was that some (not all, but some) of the problems with animations, glitches, and presentation might be due not to their unwillingness (or inability) to deliver on those fronts but rather interference/meddling from EA's end, in the sense that maybe EA tasks them with adding "x" number of new "back-of-the-box" features every year, and either does not stress (or explicitly instructs them not to spend time on) the things that we know are important in a great sports game. Things like TV-style presentation, immersion, stat overlays, Offensive/Defensive Line interaction, blocking logic, tackling logic, physics...the list goes on. It's possible Tiburon knows they could be doing better, but maybe they are getting pressure from above to focus time and resources on other, "flashier" things to move units. I don't have any evidence that this is the case, but given what we know about Madden's development and occasional candid comments from developers past, I think it would not suprise anyone if this turned out to be true. Not to mention, probably 90-cents out of every dollar of the Madden budget is spent on marketing, so you know where EA's priorities are... Having said all that, Tiburon just doesn't deliver, and that's the bottom line. If Visual Concepts were EA's sole football development house in an exclusive-licensed world, would we have a better game of football for 360/PS3 right now? I would be willing to bet on it.

I totally see where you're coming from, good post. The priorities/direction is mixed up somewhere within EA and Tiburon, and we as the fans are suffering.

It's great if you enjoy madden, I don't knock anyone that does, but I don't see how anyone can deny the lack of authenticity and that "alive" feeling, when compared to the other sports games mentioned.

Thanx Roadman.

« Previous 1 2…11 12 131415 16 17…21 22 Next »

More Links

EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013